Comments on: Writing Your Way to Western Saddle Success

By: The Big Secrets No One Talks About | Men With Pens

The Big Secrets No One Talks About | Men With Pens — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:04:15 +0000

[...] fears involved with posting rates, but I’d say that those five sum it all up nicely – and only one has to do with clients. The other four all have to do with the perception of our peer [...]

By: Michele L. Tune

Michele L. Tune — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:09:46 +0000

I am so glad I'm catching up on my reading and came across this post. It's awesome! I'm told all the time that I'm too nice. I just don't think so. I know we shouldn't allow folks to just trample us to our deaths but I have a strong, strong conviction that we should be that kind, smiling clerk. My gut instinct has paid off many, many times as I'm reading the e-mails telling me I'm the nicest person my editor/client has dealt with all day! That makes me feel so good - and it's helping me keep writing the cyber highway! *smiles* Michele Michele L. Tunes last blog post..Pulling the Reins: On Myself?

By: Debbi

Debbi — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:21:10 +0000

@ James - Very interesting! I never knew that. Thanks for looking that up. Yes, the First Amendment covers freedom of speech, religion, the right of people to peaceably assemble and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. And, believe it or not, I know that because I have a pocket-sized copy (of all things) of the U.S. Constitution that I picked up back when I was covering the U.S. Supreme Court for one of the Dow Jones newswires. Most of the lawyers I know (from my past life in the legal profession) can't make that claim. Debbis last blog post..Are We Our Own Worst Enemies? (How Writers Need to Sell Their Services)

By: James

James — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:07:17 +0000

@ Deb – Would you believe I had to look up what that was to answer you?

In our Charter of Rights and Freedoms (otherwise known as the Constitution of Canada), we have Section 2(b) of the Charter, which states that “Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: … freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.”

This has a wide-reaching scope and covers freedom of religion (amongst other things), which is what I believe the First Amendment covers.

By: Debbi

Debbi — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:39:53 +0000

@ James — to quote Michael Moore (FWIW), “Librarians see themselves as the guardians of the First Amendment. You got a thousand Mother Joneses at the barricades! I love the librarians, and I am grateful for them!”
(said after outraged librarians saved his book “Stupid White Men,” when publisher HarperCollins insisted he rewrite it to be less critical of President Bush)

Say what you will about Michael Moore, but you gotta love that sentiment.

Um, not to sound like a dolt or anything, but does Canada have a version of the First Amendment? (Sorry, almost everything I know about Canada comes from watching “Corner Gas.” )

Debbis last blog post..Are We Our Own Worst Enemies? (How Writers Need to Sell Their Services)

By: James

James — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:41:10 +0000

@ Deb – Wait… Wait, are you telling me we *need* librarians?! What’s the world coming to??

@ Jesse – You’d be surprised how many writers get extremely defensive with potential clients and then wonder why they don’t have business. Sad, really. Makes the job harder for the good ones out there, too.

By: Debbi

Debbi — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:30:38 +0000

@ James - I couldn't agree with you more. I've seen this phenomenon with my own eyes -- people ooh-ing and ah-ing over great design, but failing to appreciate quite as deeply the copy. I've learned about the need to explain your value when you market your services. Not only from writing, but from working as a librarian and information specialist. (Librarians are always trying to explain to people why they serve an essential function. They lose a lot of funding by not doing so.) Debbis last blog post..Top 10 Blogs for Writers Contest

By: Jesse Hines

Jesse Hines — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:17:10 +0000

I just read the Thursday edition of Early to Rise (earlytorise.com), and these points jumped out at me, and made me think of this post: "Knowing how to sell is one of the most financially valued skills you can possibly have....Once youâ€™re an expert at selling, the skyâ€™s the limit for how big you can grow your own business." It doesn't matter how well you can write if you can't or won't effectively sell your writing services. James, your point about educating people without attacking their ignorance seems to be a large part of successfully selling one's writing. Jesse Hiness last blog post..Too Much Reading Can Destroy Your Life

By: James

James — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:28:36 +0000

@ Deb – Oh, I agree, but unfortunately, the kind of financial impact good copy can have on a person’s life is not always immediately perceptible. They can see for themselves how a rockin’ design might create impact – they have trouble seeing how 200 words can have that same impact and more. Telling people that good copy gives them a better chance is a standard comment – but also one that doesn’t really go far in the client’s mind, because they can’t see it. So the onus falls on us to prove it

By: Debbi

Debbi — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:25:23 +0000

@ James – I’m sure your writing does jump out. I keep reading this blog, don’t I? I’m just thinking, esp. when it comes to copywriting, you don’t want your reader to be conscious of the words themselves–I’m thinking you want them to feel their effect, without even knowing why. As writers, of course we appreciate the work this takes. Readers may not. (How often have you heard a non-writer say, “I could have thought of that?”) But clients do appreciate it, I think, based on some comments I’m gotten on my work. I’m being ever so slightly tongue-in-cheek in suggesting otherwise.

One thing clients can understand is money. And our writing is both a product and a service. If it would take your client three times as long as you to write something that will probably not be as good, you have value to them as a writer. You can be writing something excellent for them, while they’re using that time to do the work they’re good at (and get paid for). Further, as a copywriter, you’re providing them even more value, because your writing can increase their income. So you’re not only saving them money by doing the writing for them, but you’re helping them make more money in the future.

So you see–all is not lost.

Debbis last blog post..Top 10 Blogs for Writers Contest